- Hot off the press: IHS Fairplay DPA Handbook authored by Captain Mick Caulkin from Regs4ships Limited.
A new handbook authored by Regs4ships’ Training and Publications Director, Captain Mick Caulkin, went on sale yesterday following its launching and we hope it will be a great good companion for all in our industry!
The IHS Fairplay DPA Handbook is a practical guide to the roles and responsibilities of the Designated Person Ashore (DPA) under the ISM Code. The role of the DPA is clearly defined in IMO Circular MSC-MEPC.7/Circ.6 as: “…the person based ashore whose influence and responsibility should significantly affect the development and implementation of a safety culture within the company”.
This handbook shows the DPA how they can accomplish their role and affect necessary change throughout their organisation. It is intended to be updated regularly, so the handbook has been released in a loose-leaf format, a clear benefit designed to keep the content up-to-date with the latest issues affecting the DPA.
Providing newly appointed DPAs and support staff with a definitive source of information, the DPA Handbook covers many vital subject areas, such as compliance, auditing, safety and other management systems, accident and near-miss analysis and port state control.
Experienced DPAs and senior company management will also find this handbook of great benefit as a universal reference source for all relevant documentation and will offer them a wealth of information, including the latest practical case studies and checklists.
Captain Andy Winbow, IMO Director of Maritime Safety, said: “IMO Circulars MSC-MEPC.7/Circ.5 and 6, issued in 2007, detailed further guidance for the role of the DPA. They were included within the 2010 edition of the ISM Code to highlight their importance and to give them greater prominence.
“It is therefore very timely that a practical guide covering the roles and responsibilities of the DPA has been published. DPAs are the front line of safety management and shoulder the burden of this responsibility. This book is an important contribution to support them.”
Get your copy of the IHS Fairplay DPA Handbook from: www.ihs.com/dpah
About the Author: Captain Mick Caulkin has worked within the industry throughout his career and is considered an expert in maritime safety management. For 14 years, Mick served at sea on passenger ships, tankers and bulk carriers, latterly as Captain and then graduated with a degree in Shipping Law and Operations. Mick’s first shore-based positions were in shipping operations and transport business management, which were held overseas in New Zealand and Australia. Upon his return to the UK, Mick spent the next six years working for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), where he gained significant front-line experience as a Surveyor of Ships, Port State Control Inspector, ISM Auditor, Examiner of Masters and Mates and, latterly, as an Enforcement Officer. In 2001, Mick and two of his colleagues, the original Enforcement Team at the MCA, formed the company that is now known as Regs4ships Limited. He works at the highest level training regulators and inspectors, undertaking specialist risk audits for insurers and the development and delivery of management-level training for activities such as MARPOL compliance, ECDIS implementation and the roles and responsibilities of the DPA. He has built a very successful training side to the overall business at Regs4ships Limited. During his time with Regs4ships Limited, Mick has also led several major projects, including the ISPS Code activities successfully delivered for scores of vessels and the introduction of ISM systems to many vessels and managers. He regularly contributes to various publications, along with his collaboration on many pan-European projects.
